The tradition of horse-drawn funeral processions at Arlington National Cemetery, which has honored America’s fallen heroes for 75 years, is expected to make a comeback, as reported by Stars and Stripes.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., successfully introduced the Honoring Our Heroes with Dignity Act as an amendment to the 1,800-page National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025. Both chambers of Congress have approved the bill, and it now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.
The legislation mandates that the Army finalize renovations of the historic stables at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. It also requires equine handlers to undergo thorough training and certification in herd management before the suspension of these iconic processions can be lifted.
Josh Gregory, Buchanan’s spokesman, noted that the Army has not provided a timeline for completing these measures.
For decades, caisson processions at Arlington were reserved for select honorees, including Medal of Honor recipients, commissioned and warrant officers, service members killed in action, sergeants major, American presidents, and other distinguished individuals designated for this honor.
In May 2023, however, Maj. Gen. Trevor Bredenkamp explained to Stars and Stripes that the suspensions were necessary due to substandard conditions for the horses. Issues such as poor living spaces, inadequate nutrition, and insufficient open areas for exercise had reached critical levels.
Reports described the horses living in overcrowded fields strewn with manure and debris. These conditions led to parasite infestations and malnutrition caused by an inadequate diet. Tragically, two horses died as a direct result of these circumstances.
“The Army reported that the horses had very little grass in the field where they lived, causing many to consume sand and gravel which eventually caused the deaths of the two horses,” Buchanan said in October, when he called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate. “In fact, one horse that passed away was found to have 44 pounds of gravel and sand in his gut.”
Following the deaths, 18 of the 64 horses were retired, according to Buchanan’s office. In the interim, the Army replaced the caisson processions with hearses and other vehicles from local funeral homes.
“Caisson-pulling military horses were dying in 2022 because of the Army’s failure to provide proper food, veterinary care, pastureland, and stables for the herd,” Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, who chairs a House subcommittee, stated. “Our caisson platoon should be the most elite organization of its kind on the planet.”
The amendment specifies that the herd must consist of four squads, each containing 11 horses. Before resuming operations, the Army, in collaboration with veterinarians and equine experts, must confirm the horses’ health, physical readiness, and training.
The legislation also allows for limited resumption of the processions before all conditions are fully met, provided the Army verifies the herd’s health and notifies congressional armed services committees in advance.
Currently, the Army is working to acquire land for grazing and exercise while the herd resides on pastureland in Virginia, as revealed during recent testimony before a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee.
{Matzav.com}
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